Page 50

Gwen

“C an we go over what happened on the plane again?” the officer asked.

I was tired. Hungry, and I really wanted a hug. I’d already spoken with one officer and gotten checked by a paramedic. Couldn’t I go home?

I wanted Clark and Tenzin. Sure, I was wearing Clark’s coat. But I wanted him.

But no. I had to be questioned alone. Again. Ugh, such bullshit.

My phone buzzed. Clark had given it back to me.

Mercy

I’m happy they got you. Here are the recordings. Even the one of you peeing.

A bunch of audio files popped up. I sucked in a breath. Recordings? I’ll take it.

Me

Thank you

My bracelet recorded him. I hadn’t even thought of that, just using the beacon. I really should read the instruction manual.

“Better yet, I have recordings. He’s an alpha, so I have one-party consent in many states.” I played the recordings for her. It hadn’t gotten everything. But it had gotten the plane monologue. Hopefully, it was enough.

“Oh?” Her look became curious.

“Look, I didn’t get myself kidnapped. I didn’t ask for it. I don’t want anything from them, other than to be left alone and not trying to ruin me.” Frustration built inside me. I didn’t like this part of investigations where they made me feel like it was my fault.

She asked more questions and let me go.

Finally.

Tenzin and Clark were being questioned. Mr. Deloitte and his men were nowhere to be seen. Mr. Boniducci was also speaking to the police.

“Are you okay?” Papa’s arms wrapped around me and I rested my head on his chest. He wasn’t the cuddly dad. But when he did hug, it was spectacular.

“I think they don’t believe me. I hate this part.” Tears streamed down my face.

“They’re just doing their job, Buttons. But I believe you. I believed you then and I believe you now. I’ll make them believe you,” he growled. “You didn’t ask for this. We’ll make sure that Deloitte fucker pays. He’s in his car on the phone with his lawyer.”

I shook my head, still buried in his shoulder. “I never ask for it. Never did I ask for any of it. I didn’t ask for Lucius’ attention. I didn’t ask for Austin to hurt me. And I didn’t ask for the Deloitte family to think I was a threat.”

“I know.” He tipped my head up. “I apologize for not handling it better. We were so afraid of Lucius’ parents. Of what they could do to us. I’d already lost my mate, and my business had been threatened. I didn’t want to lose my children by spending the rest of my life in jail. I didn’t want to lose the business and empire I was entrusted with by the Capaldi’s.”

Papa was a Capaldi by pack, not birth. Dad was a Capaldi and Popi had been raised alongside him as Capaldi, after his own family died. Papa’s and Dad’s family were longtime friends, and they’d spend summers together, mostly in Italy, where Papa grew up.

“You should never have had to sacrifice your childhood, your safety, and your family for us. We should have found a better way to protect you from Lucius. We should have stopped him.” Papa flinched.

“Yes, I was caught up in my grief. Yes, we thought you were happy–even when your identity was changed–because you got to play hockey and go to high school. But it was no excuse. I, we, failed you as parents. Not just then, but over and over, including not listening to you, not putting your needs first, and not acknowledging how much you love hockey. I’m so sorry for everything, Buttons. I love you. So much, even if I don’t show it in ways you understand. You’re our miracle and I treasure you. We’ll do better. Promise.”

All the air left my body. Papa had just apologized for everything and hadn’t asked anything of me in return. Not letting them in. Not forgiving them. Nothing.

I started to cry, because my teenage self needed that.

His arms curled around me, and he rested his head on mine. “I’m sorry. I love you. I’m proud of you.”

It was cozy and reminded me of that time right after Mom died, when it was mostly me and the four of them cuddled on the couch. It made me think everything would be different. As it should have been.

Until I’d mentioned returning to Nonna’s. Until my uncle tried to overthrow them. Until Lucius pitched a bitch fit because he wanted me.

I sniffed. “You should be. Even Luca couldn’t get into NYIT.”

“You’ve accomplished so much.” He smoothed my hair.

“It… it’s okay,” I mumbled. “I understand not wanting to go to jail or have your business seized. I know a lot about Lucius’ family now and how they operate.” Courtesy of a couple of projects for classes. A trial run for the day I wrecked them.

I looked up at him. “I wished you’d fought harder for me. There’s a lot of things I wish for. But wishes won’t do anything, will they?”

“No.” He shook his head. “All the wishes in the world won’t bring back the time we lost with you. But we’re here, and we love you.”

“The fact that you’re here, that you came for me, is everything.” I stared at his hazel eyes. There were times I wondered if, like Matty, he was my bio dad and that was why he was so hard on me.

“We’re here. We’ll make sure he pays. Promise.” He kissed my forehead.

“How did you find me?” It wasn’t the bracelet. It wasn’t my phone. Sure, the guys called Matty, Jonas cashed in favors, but ultimately, in my understanding, the dads found me.

“Um, don’t hate us.” Papa’s expression looked abashed. Something I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen. Apologies and regret were not in any of their vocabularies.

My eyebrows rose in me. “What did you do?”

“You look like your mother when you do that.” He grimaced. “Remember, after you were kidnapped, when we took you to get your nose re-pierced, since Lucius took yours out and it closed.”

I nodded. They’d done very kind things for me. Which made them ordering me to not go back to New York, hurt so much more. “You did, and you got me those cute nose rings. Which I wear all the time.”

There was an everyday one, a clear one, a sporty one, a fancy one, and a little hoop. I loved them and was wearing the hoop.

“Yeah…” He looked wary. “There are trackers in them. Biometric ones that know when they’re being worn. We weren’t watching your every move. We didn’t even have it on our phones or anything. It was just a precaution. We were so worried that Lucius’ family or someone of your uncle’s would retaliate.”

“Which you didn’t tell me about,” I grumbled. Of course they didn’t. Alphas did do shit like that. I was surprised it wasn’t in my tooth or under my skin.

“No, and we should have.” Babo put his hand on my shoulder. “We were just so worried about you.”

“I know. You could have asked. But it’s hard to be mad when it literally saved my life.” Tonight could have been so much worse.

What would Mr. Deloitte have done if he’d known who I actually was? I’m sure my dads had enemies.

“There’s more. Popi was worried about you. So…” Papa gave me another wary look. “Being security-oriented, he hired a service to look after you when you returned to New York. With you being so far away, he didn’t think the tracker was enough.”

“What?” I wasn’t even sure what that meant.

Babo’s hands went up. “I know. It’s invasive and creepy. Matty told us that when he found out. But again, we weren’t tracking your every move. All they were doing was watching you from a distance. Literally, they were only to call us if something was very wrong–like you got kidnapped or hit by a car. Popi promised to discontinue it after everything settled.”

It took me a moment. “You had people watching me?”

Yeah, that’s not what fuck off meant.

“Popi forgot he had ordered the service. So he never canceled it. He also forgot the email he had the reports going to–which were only coming to us if there was a concern, though not enough to warrant a call.” Papa grimaced.

“He’s getting forgetful in his old age. We didn’t even realize it was still going, until Matty saw you in Quebec and noticed them. Thank goodness, since they’re the ones who knew you were gone tonight, alerted us, and figured out where you were going.”

Wow, to not notice you were paying for that for years?

“They’ve literally been following me around for all this time? Like to class and hockey and work? For three years? Wouldn’t I have figured it out?” My nose scrunched. Because I couldn’t wrap my head around it enough to feel anything.

“It was their job to not be noticed,” Babo soothed. “We knew you’d get mad if you found out, so part of the job was to make sure you never knew. We were just trying to keep you safe, while you worked everything out.”

“Yet you’ve known since August and kept them?” While the overreach was infuriating, it was also sort of sweet. They cared enough to take measures to make sure I was okay, while still keeping their distance. At the same time…

“Also, they didn’t stop Austin.” I flinched.

These people saw me at my best and my worst. Followed me to parties. Watched me as I worked. Saw more of my hockey games than the dads ever did.

I had no idea who they were–or that they’d been there this whole time.

“I know.” Papa’s shoulders sagged. “There’s only so much they could do when you were in a private space. Really, they were more surveillance than protection. They called the ambulance and sent a report. If it had been worse, they would’ve called us, like they did when you were hit by the car. But we didn’t see that report until much later. All the reports.”

Babo flinched. “They wrote in with their concerns and opinions. Pretty sure they think we’re horrible dads for letting you struggle and never replying. We didn’t know or understand, until Matty showed us the spreadsheets and told us about you living in a closet.”

Yeah, I didn’t have the headspace for this.

“I thought we should have discontinued it back in August, but everyone else wanted to actually see you, gauge how things were, and take it from there,” Babo added.

“I like my life.” I pulled away and gave them hard looks. “Unlike some people, I don’t mind earning my way. Nonna and the grandparents taught me the value of hard work. Would it have been nice not to have to worry as much? Sure. But I did it. Even when things were lean, it wasn’t awful. I’ve had lots of good times. Living in the closet was a calculated move, while I figured everything out. I chose this because I like making my own decisions.”

I didn’t need their weird guilt trips.

Papa nodded. “I’m proud of your hard work and accomplishments. I can respect wanting to earn your own way. The father in me just winces at things being overly hard.”

Which I was glad for. I was still clinging to things that made me feel like they still cared about me. That I was their kid, too.

Babo cupped my face. “We apologize for going against your wishes. But I don’t know what would have happened tonight with you if we hadn’t.”

“I know. But invasion of privacy much?” I couldn’t summon anger. “It’s weird. You weren’t getting updates on me?”

“No updates. We weren’t spying, just trying to keep you safe. We didn’t know what parties you went to, promise,” Babo chuckled.

“How did they even do that? Like they went to my games and followed me when I was on the road? Did they hack my schedule?” I frowned. Half the time, I didn’t even know what my own plans were.

Babo shrugged. “They’re the best. We didn’t even notice them when we saw you play last year.”

I leaned into Babo. “I feel conflicted about this.”

He rubbed my back. “I know. You have a right to. Like everything we do, we just want you to be safe and happy. We just suck at our approach.”

“The woman who told me to run, was she one of them? Is she okay? Also, if they’re just supposed to watch, I don’t want anyone to lose their job.” Oh, shit, if someone was hurt because of me…

My breath got fast.

Papa squeezed my shoulder. “Breathe, Buttons. We’ll check, okay.”

“Okay.” I took a deep breath. “So, I guess I can understand that I wasn’t supposed to notice people following me around for three years, but no one did?” My eyebrows rose.

“A couple of people did and were told not to tell you. Leonard was one, though that’s not surprising. Also, you associate with Belikovs?” Papa gave me a look.

“Is that a problem? Dimitri and Valya are good friends to me.” I frowned. Why would that be worth mentioning?

His face went tight, then he shook his head. “No. He’s someone who made your tail.”

“Yeah. That sounds about right.” I nodded, curious about his hesitation. But not enough to ask. I could see Dimitri finding them with his preternatural observation powers.

“I’m glad you have such good friends. But hockey players are like that.” Papa’s look turned wistful. “I’m proud of you. I loved watching your game. My brother would, too.”

What? Before I could follow up on that odd comment, Dad called for Papa and Babo.

“We’ll be back.” Papa hugged me.

I set off to find Clark and Tens.

“Buttons?” Luca stood there, something in his hand. “Hey.”

Luca was here?

He was the tallest and most muscular of my three brothers. You’d think he was a cage fighter and not a lawyer. All eight of us favored Mom, but I could see lots of Popi in him.

“Um, hi. You’re here?” I’d seen Matty and Lenny. But Luca? What? Why?

“I was in Toronto. Lenny was in Boston. Your boys called him and Matty. I got Lenny. We got your boys in Motor City. Then we got you. ” Luca appraised me. “I care about you. I always have. It’s just that I never got involved with your sibling squabbles because those sisters annoy me. But I was always on your side with dads. Including playing hockey. You’re good at it, it makes you happy, and they should understand. It’s obvious why you do it.”

“Oh.” This was more than I’d heard Luca say in a long time.

“I thought I was helping you when I shut off the scholarship. That I was ensuring that the dads honored your wishes and didn’t overstep. I know you get frustrated when they don’t listen to you. Also, I didn’t know you reapplied–or that there was other money you could use. I’m sorry.” His brows furrowed.

“It’s okay, I didn’t know it was them, and at the time it made sense, because my grades sort of sucked after.” I sighed. Wow, he apologized, too? What had gotten into everyone?

“You eventually did well enough to get into NYIT. It wasn’t all hockey, it was you, too,” he pointed out.

True. NYIT liked how I’d worked hard to turn everything around.

“No, I didn’t know about the surveillance team or the tracker. Being a dad, I sort of understand it. But you're an adult and didn’t need or want their interference.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed in a gesture that was so very Dad when he was frustrated.

Wow. I’d never expected this from Luca.

“I appreciate you looking out for me, Luca.” It might be misplaced, but then the dads were, too. It was probably genetic.

“I didn’t get you a birthday present because no one told me we were sending you things. I did what I always do.” He shoved his hands in his pocket, looking uncomfortable.

“What do you do?” Wait, he did something for me for my birthday?

Though he’d supported me playing hockey. I remember him giving me his Mario D’Angel hockey card, when I went off to live with Nonna. Mario had helped Italy win the silver in the Olympics ages ago and had played for both the national team and Venice.

“I donate, in your name, to the animal rescue our aunt runs, the one you and Nonna always volunteered at. Have you been there lately?” His look went curious. “Have you seen the courtyard I had built in her memory?”

I sucked in a breath. He did what? But that was so much better than a purse, even if it was a bucket bag. “Thank you, that is the sweetest gift. You had a courtyard built to remember Nonna?”

I’d loved that place.

“Before you came along, I was her favorite, and I got to help with the animals.” His look went teasing. But he was her other favorite and when I was tiny, he’d come with us.

“I haven’t been there since I left for Rockland. But I’d like to go.”

“Oh, here’s a juice pouch and some fruit snacks.” Luca handed me what was in his other hand. “You might be hungry. I need to go help Popi.” He left.

“That might be the longest conversation I’ve ever had with Luca since I was little.” I blinked as Matty and Lenny joined me.

“Luca cares about you. Also, his mates and kids are giving him people skills,” Matty laughed.

“Buttons.” Lenny picked me up and spun me around.

“He gave me a juice pouch and fruit snacks?” So weird. It was like snacks after hockey, when I was little. One of my favorite parts of living with Nonna was I could eat the fun snacks.

Matty chuckled. “They were in his briefcase for his girls. Wait until you see them with him. He’s such a pushover.”

“Okay.” I was hungry and thirsty, so I dumped the snacks in my mouth, then sucked down the pouch.

“Thank you.” I bit my lower lip. They’d come for me last time, too. Later than I’d have liked. But they came and took care of me when I was so shattered in the hospital.

“Always.” Lenny hugged me.

“Yeah, what he said.” Matty hugged me, too.

“No Joe?” I looked around. “Everyone else is here.”

“Since all the lawyers in the family decided to come get you, someone had to stay to handle shit. But he loves you, too.” Lenny squeezed my shoulder.

“I think he’s on his way.” Matty checked his phone.

Carlos, Jonas, and Tegan came over.

Jonas held up his phone. “How are we getting home? Inquiring mates want to know.”

“We’ll arrange for something after the police are done with everything. I’m guessing you all want to go back to New York?” Matty asked.

“We have a game tomorrow, well, tonight,” Carlos said.

“Thank you for coming,” I added. While Carlos and Dimitri coming didn’t surprise me, Tegan and Jonas did.

“This was fun,” Tegan said. “Thank goodness you’re safe.”

Carlos hugged me. “I’m so sorry the Boater’s offer was fake. But I think the Tigres are going to sign you. My cousin says Nunez probably won’t come back from his injuries.”

“We’ll see what happens.” I didn’t want to get my hopes up.

“My pack is happy you're safe. So is Charlie–my friend who was helping us,” Jonas told me. “Mercy is pissed she didn’t get to come on the rescue mission.”

I laughed. “I know. I’m so grateful for Charlie.”

“I’m so curious if I’ve ever worked with Charlie,” Tegan replied.

Jonas thought for a moment. “Have you ever done joint missions with Canada?”

“The police want your recordings,” Matty added. “How the fuck did you manage that?”

“By accident. I was trying to send a distress call to Mercy.” I held up my bracelet. “Apparently, I accidentally recorded everything and sent it to her, when I meant to send her my location. Which is great. Because proof is important.”

Tegan nodded. “You’re wearing it. I couldn’t remember.”

“I like that it records. It’s how I recorded Chiara being a bitch. It’s also cute.”

“It might not hold up in court, but yeah. Come on. Let’s get this wrapped up, so everyone can go home,” Matty said.

“Okay.” I bit my lower lip. “Thanks. I don’t think you know how much it means to me that you all came for me.”

“We know. Also, lots of people were helping in other ways. Just because they didn’t come doesn’t mean they don’t care,” Jonas told me.

“For me, not coming after you was never an option,” Carlos added. “You’d do the same for any of us.”

“Yeah, I would.” In a minute.